Labeling machine



A. POGGIO LABELING MACHINE Feb. 1o, 1942.

Filed May 17, 1940 4 sheets-shea 1 INVENTOR ARISTIDES POGGIO ATTORNEYS Feb. 10, 1942. A. POGGIO LABELING MACHINE Filed May 17, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ARI ST DES POGGIO BY www MP ATTORNEYS Feb. l0, 1942. A, POGGlo 2,272,350

` LABELING MACHINE y Filed May 17, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR j 7 BY ARlsTmEs Posslo 15;' www /w Mw ATTORNEYS Feb. 10, 1942. A, POGGIO 2,272,350

LABELING MACHINE n INVENTOR Amsn'oes POGGIO AT TOR N EYS Patented Feb. 10, 1942 UNITED STATES 'A OFFICE LAELmG MACHINE Arstides Poggio, Zarate, Buenos Aires, Argentina Application May 17, 1940, Serial No. 335,851

8 Claims. (Cl. 21S- 55) The present invention relates to machines for labeling containers and in particular for applying labels to containers having the shape of a truncated pyramid.

In general the object of the invention is to provide a labeling machine which shall perform automatically all the steps necessary for the labeling of containers which are of prismatic or frusto-pyramidal shape and have a rectangular base.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a machine of the type described which shall have its parts so constructed and arranged as to enable it to produce in a simple and efficient manner satisfactorily labeled containers and to require a minimum of supervision and that of a very simple order, while being economical to run and relatively cheap to construct.

My novel machine comprises essentially a frame carrying an outer and an inner endless conveyor arranged to run in synchronism, the outer conveyor having secured thereto a plurality of receptacles, said frame likewise carrying driving means for said conveyors and supporting at one end a label holder, and transfer devices comprising an assembly adapted to remove labels 7- from said holder and place them in said receptacles and an assembly adapted t remove containers one by one from a runway or' chute and place them in said receptacles on top of said labels, said receptacles being provided with movable gripping means for holding the container and the label, and the inner conveyor being provided with a plurality of pairs of label wiper brushes, yieldably connected together and adapted to pass through the outer conveyor to applys the labels firmly against the sides of the containers, the machine including likewise adhesive applying means and means for actuating the movable gripping means. l

The transfer device includes suction devices'vv comprising a label lifter secured to a labelv transfer member, and a can lifter mounted on a can transfer member, said members being oscillated between two end positions by means of cranks driven from the main or outer conveyor.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a labeling machine according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a label lifter de-v vice.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a hinged guideway forming part of the label lifter.

Fig. 4 is an elevation of a can lifter.

Fig. 5 is a perspective View of a suction cut-off.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a can feeding and gumming assembly mounted on the end of the machine frame.

Fig. '7 is a perspective view 0f half of a can carrying receptacle.

Fig. 8 is an elevation lof a label wiper device.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the machine.

The can labeling machine according to the present invention consists of a frame I0 which supports an outer endless conveyor I2 which passes round a double set of chain wheels I4 so arranged that the conveyor follows a polygonal path. Inside the space dened by the outer conveyor l2, there is provided an inner endless conveyor I 6 which runs round chain wheels I8. 'I'he two conveyors are run in-synchronism by means of transmission chain 20 and the chain Wheels 22 and 24. The conveyors may be driven by any suitable means as, for example, a belt drive from a source of power to a pulley (not shown) ora direct-coupled motor.

At one end Hl' of the frame l0, is located a transfer device which comprises a label removing assembly 26 and a can removing assembly 26. The label removing assembly 26 consists of a swinging arm 28, a pivoted arm 32 and a link 30 connecting these two arms. The arm 32 is pivoted to one frame member Illa at 36, and the swing arm which is slotted as shown, is adapted to swing about and slide relatively to a pin 34 fast on said frame member Ia, said pin 34 being at a point on the frame member between said pivot 3B and the nearest end of the outer conveyor. The end of the swinging arm 28 remote from the link 30 is connected to an adjustable throw crank actuating device comprising a bar 38 coupled at one end to the arm 28 by means of a slidable and rotatable member 4i] and at the other end is pivotally secured to a cross-head 4| slidably adjustable in a diametrical groove 43 in a disc 42 driven by the outer conveyor I2.

The construction of the can removing assembly 26' is the same up to this point, and the corresponding parts have been marked with primed reference numerals in the drawings. The pin 34 for arm 28 corresponding to pin 34 of arm 28 is fast on the frame member lb parallel to the member Illa and on rthe opposite side of the frame. Similarly, an adjustable throw crank, corresponding to the crank 42 and adapted to actuate the arm 28 of the can removing assembly, is mounted on the frame member parallel to the member lil on the opposite side of the machine. This arrangement of parts will cause the linked ends of the swinging armsA 28, 28' to oscillate in .55 a curved path the parts being so proportioned vof a second suction mouth I that one end of said path coincides with a position to which successive receptacles carried by the outer conveyor and to be hereinafter described are brought by advance of the conveyor I 2, and the other end of the path lies in the case of arm 28 over` the delivery end of a can chute 46 and in the case of arm 28 over a label holder 44 provided at said end I8 of the main frame.

The eccentrics or cranks 42 are arranged 180 out of phase so that when the linked end of the label lifter arm 28 is at one end of its path the corresponding end of the can lifter arm 28 is at the opposite end of its path. The can lifter arm 28 is longer than the label lifter arm 28, and since their motions are 180 out of phase, it will be clear that when the cranks have rotated half a revolution from the position shown in Fig. 1, the can lifter ann will have moved to its positlon over the chute 46 (hereinafter called its rearward position) and the label lifter arm 28 will have moved to its position over the conveyor I2 (hereinafter called its forward position). The receptacles are so distributed on the conveyor that at the moment just described a receptacle will have been brought by the conveyor I2 to a point just below the label lifting device carried by arm 28, and that on rotation of the cranks through a further half revolution, the receptacle will have beenadvanced a distance so as to bring it below the can lifting device carried by arm 28 which will then be in its forward position.

AsV just indicated, the arm 28 carries a label lifter 48 and the arm 28 carries a can lifter 58. Boththese lifting devices are designed to operate by suction and will now be described withv particular reference to Figs. 2, 3 and 4.

According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the label lifter 48 comprises a tubular substantially L shape member 48 the bar of which forms a suction mouth 5|' of circular cross-section and the leg of which communicates with the interior of rectangular cross-section, the extremity of which lies in the same'plane as the extremity of the suction mouth 5|. At a point intermediate the ends of the leg portion of member 49 there is provided a connection pipe 52 which is preferably directed away from the plane of the suction mouths and is adapted to receive a suction hose 53 of flexible material, as for example, rubber. A guide bar 54 carrying an adjustable stop collar 56, extends from above the suction `mouth 5I and is adapted to pass slidably through a support 55 rotatably secured to the label lifter arm 23. Projecting laterally from the suction mouth 5| are a pair of pins 51 carrying at their free ends rollers 58 adapted to run on inclined surfaces 63, 63 of a guideway 58 (Fig. 3) hingedly attached to a support 6| (Fig. l) rising from the main frame I8. Said guideway is mounted a convenient distance abovethe label carrier 44 and comprises a pair of legs 62, 62 connected together at one end by a base portion 64 from which lugs 54a project drilled to provide holes 85 for the passage of the hinge-pin (not shown). The inclined surfaces 63, 63' are not co-extensive with the legs |32, 62 so that there is formed in the neighbourhood of the base 64 a rectangular opening S6 adapted to allow the rectangular suction mouth 5| and the pins 5l of the label lifter to pass freely therethrough.

The above described arrangement or its equivalents have been found necessary as otherwise the label lifter will not sit fiat on the pile of labels nor will its mouths be directed downwardly at both ends of the stroke of arm 28. Considering the backward stroke of the arm 28, the label lifter will be brought to the free ends of the leg portions of the inclined guideway and the then downwardly moving arm will cause the rollers 58 to engage the surfaces 63, 63' so that the movements of the label lifter will be constrained with respect to the arm. Further swinging movement of the arm will cause the label lifter to be pushed along the inclined surfaces 63, 63 and the head of support will move down the guidebar 54, the support turning on its axis to allow of the necessary small turning component. The arrangement is such that when the arm 28 is just about to reach the end of its backward stroke. the rearward end of the label lifter will have reached the opening 68 so that the whole lifter will drop, the guide-bar 54 sliding through the head of the support 55 until stopped by the collar 58, which is so adjusted that the stoppage occurs when the arm 28 has reached the end of its stroke and the label lifter has contacted with the uppermost of the pile of labels which rests on the label carrier 44. As the arm 28 com- Inences its forward stroke, it raises the label lifter which has picked up a label and brings the rollers 58 into contact with the under side of the surfaces 63, G3. Inasmuch as the end of the arm 28 carrying the label lifter rises, it will cause the guide-way to be lifted on its hinge until the rollers 58 have cleared the free ends of the leg portions 62, 52 the guideway thus helping gravity to keep the label lifter in position with its mouths directed downwardly. Thereafter the guide-way will drop back into its original position.

The can lifter as shown in Fig. 4 comprises a mounting arm 'l0 having at one end means l2 for securing it rotatably to the can lifter arm 28' and formed at the other end to provide a sucker T4 the plane of the mouth I6 of which is inclined to the axis of said mounting arm. The sucker 'I4 is connected to a suction pipe 18, for example, by means of a screw 88.

Each of the arms 28, 28 carries a suction cutoif 82, 82', one embodiment of which is shown in slightly exploded form in Fig. 5 and the purpose of which is to cut oli and cut in the suction at predetermined points in the strokes of the aims.

As shown in Fig. 5, the cut-off consists of a hollow support B4 one end of which carries fixing means 88 for xing the cut-off to the respective arm 28 or 28', and the other end of which has a coupling plate 88 for coupling the cut-ofi' mechanism to said hollow support. Said support is provided with tubular branches 98 and 92 adapted to receive the suction pipe 53 or 78 communicating with the label or can lifter, and the suction trunk 94, 94 running to the suction producing device (not shown). The cutoff mechanism comprises a perforated disc 98 adapted to be fixed to the plate 88 and provided with a pin |88. Through the disc 96 and into the interior of the hollow support 84 passes a tubular rotatable valve member S8 having oriiices 91' and 81 adapted in the operative or sucking position of the device to the register with the branches 98 and 92 respectively. The outer end of the valve member 98 is closed by a head from which project a cut-off finger |82 and an admission linger |84, said head being also provided with projecting stops |86, 86', adapted to limit the rotation of the valve member by engagement with the pin |88 between which and a lsuitable point on the head |a dead'centre spring I 0 is stretched.'

The label carrier 44 (Figs. 1 and 6) the purpose of which is to supply gradually labels to the label lifter 48 is mounted on a rack H2 which is slidably disposed in a support ||4. In order to 'prevent the labels from being shiftedin the pile,

lifter arm 28 or from the outer conveyor I2.

The free end of the can ch'ute 46 has a slot in f' its bottom so positioned as to be aligned with the root of the opener tag on the cans. This tag is laid flat or approximately so, against the cans and the purpose of the slot is to permit the tag to be bent up at right angles to the can by means of a mechanism now about to be described, so that'when the can is deposited in the receptacle the tag can pierce the label and remain on the outside thereof after the labeling operation has been nished.

Thetag bending mechanism as shown in Fig. 6 consists of a wheel |I8 provided with an articulated claw 9 held in position by means of a spring and projecting beyond the periphery of the wheel, which is rotatably mounted on a support |2| secured to the frame members |22. The tag bender wheel IIB is caused to run in synchronism with the outer conveyor I2 the movement of which is transmitted to the wheel by means of a chain v|24 (Fig. l) driving a pulley |26 (Fig. 6) which in turn drives a pulley |28 fast on' the wheel shaft. The claw ||9 is directed backwardly with respect to the direction of travel of thecans so that as each' can moves into position its tag is engaged by said claw and bent up. To prevent the claw from remaining engaged when the tag has been bent up at right angles, a notch |30 is cut into the periphery of the Wheel |8, into which the claw is adapted to be moved 'by the advancing can so as to clear the tag. A

lateral projection |32 is provided on the wheel I I8 to actuate a can stop device comprising a bar |34 projecting from a gate member |36 pivoted in front of the delivery end of the chute. The said bar extends into the path of the projection |32 the vertical arm with spring clips |54 whereby the half 'receptacle may be detachably and slidably mounted-on the rods |52. On th'e same side of the horizontalarmA attachment lingers |56 are also provided to enable the half receptacle to be attached to the conveyor chains. The vertical arm |50is flared outwardlyat its free end and flanges v| 58 .and |58' are provided along its vertical margins.' one of the ilanges |58, being coextensive with the Vverticalrnarginwhile theother ange I 5B extends but a short distance lupwardly from the horizontal arm |48. The receptacles are mount- Y ed th'e rods |52 crosswise of the conveyor chains so that the bar is raised once in every revolution of vthe wheel ||8 thus lowering the gate and allowing the can to be picked up by the can lifter.

Below'the chute 46 and on the side of the tag bender remote from the delivery end, there is provided a b-ath |38 containing a liquid adhesive and h'aving mounted within it a rotary brush |40 so' positioned as to brush the side of the cans resting on the bottom of the chute, lto which end a suitable longitudinal opening is provided in the floor of the chute. On the same shaft as brush |40 but outside the bath |38 is mounted a pulley |48 which may be driven from another pulley |42 mounted on `the same shat as pulley |26.

. quired. Each half receptacle consists of an angle element |46 having ahorizontal arm |48 shorter than its other vertical Iarm |50. The horizontal arm is provided on the side thereof remo-te from and with the 'shorter anges |58' facing the can chute. This arrangement coupled with the outward flaring ci the free ends of the vertical arms allows the can lifter to introduce the cans easily into the space within the receptacle, the flange |58 acting as a stop and guide and the anges |58 acting to prevent the can from tipping out of the receptacle.

f The vertical arm |50 has formed in it a slot |60 through which the nose |62 of a gripper member |62a is adapted to pass. Said gripper member ispivotally mounted between lugs |63 projecting outwardly and downwardly from the angle of the half receptacle, and has a U shape tail piece |62 between the legs of which a roller |64 is rotatably mounted. A spring (not shown) normally maintains thegripper with its nose projecting through' voperative position to grip the can by its projecting edgev until the labeling operation has been competed. The horizontal arm |48 has also a slot |66 through which the upturned lug of the cans is adapted to project after passing through the label.

As best seen in Figs. 1 and 8, a plurality of pressure ngers |68is mounted onthe outer conveyor 2 one below each receptacle so as to be directed inwardly of theclosedgureformedbysaidconveyor. The free end of each pressure nger has rotatably mounted on it a doubly ilanged wheel |16 adapted to engage a yieldable connection consisting of springs I 84 between arms |16 of a label wiper device |12 mounted on the inner conveyor 16. As

-shown in Fig. 8 the label wiper device comprises two pairs of arms |16 th'e arms of each pair being rigidly coupled together crosswire of the conveyorlIS by cross-bars and the pairs so formed being pivotally mounted at one end on the inner conveyor |6, so as tobe directed towards the outer conveyor I2. The free ends of the pairs of arms carry rotary wiper brushes |14 which are preferably conical in shape. Each pair of arms is normally maintained in a position substantially perpendicular to the inner conveyor I6 by means of springs |82, and as previously stated, the pairs are yieldably connected together by springs |84 extending lengthwise of the conveyor I6, and conveniently anchored to the cross-bars |80.

Referring now to Fig. 1, it will be seen that whereas the upper part of the outer conveyor |2 runs substantially horizontally, the correspending portion of the inner conveyor |6 runs at three'diierent inclinations indicated .by the letters A, E and F, the zone A being that nearest f to the delivery end of the chute 46. These three zones correspond to three stepsin the labeling operation, which takes place overthe zones designated B, C and D for the outer conveyor, as

will be more clearly understood from the. following description of the labeling process.

As already stated, one face of the cans is coated with adhesive during their travel down the chute 45. It has also been explained that owing to the construction of the labeland can' transfer devices, an empty receptacle, as it moves into the horizontal or. upper stretchof the outer conveyor, has deposited in it a label which is temporarily held down by the gripper nosel |62.

Subsequently a can is deposited on top of 'the` label with the adhesive coated face in Contact with the label. While the can is being introduced into the receptacle, the nose of the grippers |62a will have been retracted by'engagement ofthe rollers |64 with the guide rails, and when the` can is seated on the label the grippers are allowed to move into their normal position to grip the end flanges of the can by disengagement of the rollers from the guide rails. On completion of this operation, the receptacle containing theA can and the label may be said to enter Zones A and B. In zone B a gumming device |86 is provided comprising a tank |08 for liquid adhesive mounted above the outer conveyor I2 and having an opening in its floor through which adhesive is fed to a rotary brush |90 which rotates in a direction opposite to the rotary travel of said outer conveyor. As the receptacle with its contained can approaches the brush |90, awiper device |12 moves along the inclined zone A so as to bring its yielding connection member |84 into engagement with the roller of the pressure linger associated with said receptacle. The arrangement is such that when the loaded receptacle is below the brush |00, so that the contained can has its face remote from the conveyor wiped by said brush to apply adhesive thereto, the conical brush |14 carried by the pair of arms |16 fur thest from the delivery end of the chute, passes through the outer conveyor l2 to raise the portion |85a of the label |85. Depression of the spring |84 by pressure linger |68 urges the two pairs of arms of the wiper device towards each other and causes them to be pressed rmly but resiliently against thefaces of the can facing the ends of the horizontal stretch of the outer conveyor. As both conveyors advance further, the receptacle with the can is brought into Zone CE, where a second gumming device |86 having a tank |88 for liquid adhesive and a brush |90',

generally identical with the gumming device |88 is installed. At this part of the travel, the Wiper arms |16 will have been raised by the inclination of zone A of the inner conveyor a sufficient distance to enable the pair ofv wiper arms nearest to the chute 46 to have lifted the corresponding portion |8517 of the label and laid it alongside the corresponding face of the can. Asthe receptacle and can pass under the brush |90', the projecting partof the portion |85a of the label is laid by the brush on to the face of the container which has just been coated with adhesive by the brush |90, and is itself coated on theoutside with adhesive by the brush |90. In passing from under the gumming device |86 the receptacle and the wiper device enter fully'into zone E of the inner conveyor in which the inclination of the inner conveyor is away from the outer conveyor. Thus the wiper arms are gradually retracted from the can but it will benotedf All that the pair of Wiper arms remote from the chute descends more rapidly than the other pair .so that the `portion |b of the label which has not yet been laid onrthe lcoated outer surface ofthe portion |85a already adhered to the can, is still held pressed against the can. At the end of the zone E ofthe inner conveyor the receptacle and can enter zone D of the outer conveyor where a rotary label Vwiper designated generally by the numeral |94 is provided. This device comprises a shaft |98 larranged perpendicularly to the outer conveyor I2 and driven by means of conical `gears |96, |96 from a convenient shaft |96a of the driving system for the inner conveyor. On saidshaft |08 is secured an arm 200 the free end of which carries a brush 202. As the shaft |98 rotates, the brush 202 is moved through a circle, the timing being such that the brush 202 engages the upper part of the upstanding portion |65b of the label on the side thereof nearest to the chute 46, so that in continuing to revolve, the brush 202 lays the said upper part on the coated and adhered upper part of the portion |65a and wipes it into rrn adhering contact, thus completing the labeling of the can.

` After passing the shaft |98 of the gumming device |94, the wiper device |12 enters zone F of the inner conveyor which here runs at an inclination in the same sense as but greater than that of Zone Ev so as to retract the wiper device completely from the can and allow the receptacle to proceed to the end of the horizontal stretch where the labeled can is discharged, to which end it may be removed from the receptacle by hand or any convenient type of discharge mechanism may be provided.

Although in the present. specification and in the accompanying drawings a specific embodiment of the present invention has been described and illustrated it'is to be understood that it is not limited thereto and is restricted only to the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A labeling machine for labeling cans, in particular cans of substantially frusto-pyramidal shape having a square base comprising a frame, an outer and an inner endless conveyor mounted on said frame and arranged to run in synchronism, said outer conveyor surrounding said inner conveyor and having a portion adjacent but nonparallel thereto', Idriving meanson said frame for driving said conveyors, a plurality of can Areceptacles arranged in spaced relation along said outer conveyor, a can' chute having a delivery end arranged in proximity to one end of the frame, a label holder disposed between said can chute and said frame, transfer devices located at said end of the frame and comprising a can lifter assembly and a label lifter assembly for respectively depositing a label and a can in engagement with a can receptacle, actuating means for said transfer devices, and a plurality of wiper devices including pairs of wiper brushes forembracing the cans and being mounted on the inner conveyor and directed towards the outer conveyor to successively engage and disengage the cans in said receptacles by the nonparallel movement of the adjacent portions of said conveyors.

2. A labeling machine for labeling cans, in particular cans' of substantially frusto-pyramidal shape having a square base comprising a. frame, an outer and an inner endless conveyor mounted on said frame, said outer conveyor surrounding said inner conveyor,` driving means on said frame for driving said conveyors in synchronisrn with each other, a plurality ofhcan receptacles are ranged in spaced relation along said outer, conveyor, a can chute having a delivery end located in proximity to one end o-f lsaid frame, said outer conveyor having a substantially straightstretch extending between the, ends of the `frame and said inner conveyor having a first zone inclined towards the straight stretch of said outer conveyor from the end thereof nearest to -said chute to an intermediate pointy thereof, a second zone following` immediately on saidI first zone oppositely inclined with respect to said rst zone and forming a relatively small angle with said straight stretch and. athird zone following immediately on said second zonesand inclinedin the same sense but r,at agreater angle, a label holder disposed between said can chute andsaid frame, transfer devices located at Said end vof the frame nearest to said chute and comprisinga can lifter assembly and a label lifter assembly for respectively depositingfa label and can inlengagement with a can receptacle, actuating means for said transfer devices, a plurality of wiper devices includingfpairs Vof kwiper Ibrushes for embracing the cans and being mounted on the inner conveyor and directed Vtowards the outer conveyor, a yieldable coupling between said pairs o f wiper brushes, a pressure finger mountedonthe outer conveyor below each receptacle and directed towards the innerl conveyor, said pressure fingers being adapted to engage and depress said yieldable coupling to urge the wiper brushes towards each other and, adhesive applying means for applying adhesiveto .the cansdisposed one in association with said chute, av second at substantially the end ofA the rstzone ofl the inner conveyor remote froml the chute, and a ythird at a point intermediate the end of the straight stretch nearest to the chutev and the secondedhesive applying means. Y y

3. In a labeling machine` for labeling cans, in particular-cans of substantially frusto-pyramidal shape having a square base, comprising a frame, an outer and an inner endless conveyor mounted 0n said frame, said outer conveyor surrounding said inner conveyor and having a 4portion adjacent but non-parallel thereto driving means on said frame for driving said conveyors in synchronism with each other, aplurality of can receptacles mounted in spaced relation on said outer conveyor, a can chute having a delivery end arranged in proximity to one end of the frame, a label holder disposed between saidchute and said frame and a plurality of wiper devices mounted on said inner conveyor in spaced relation and directed towards said outer conveyor adapted to be brought into operative relation to the cans in said receptacle bythenon-parallel movement of the adjustable portionsof said conveyors, rtransfer devices for transferring labels from the label, holder and lcans-,from the chute to said receptacles, said transfer devices comprising a slotted lifter arm, securing means for securing said lifter arms, slidingly and swingingly to said frame, a pivoted arm pivotally secured to said frame,v a link connecting the free ends of the two arms, lifting means attached to said lifter arm and actuating means adapted to be driven in synchronism with the conveyors for actuating said lifter arm.

4. In a labeling machine for labeling cans, in particular cans of substantially frusto-pyramidal shape having a square base, comprising a frame, an outer and an inner endless conveyor mounted on said frame,`said o uter conveyor surrounding said inner conveyor and having a portion adjacentbut non-parallel thereto, drivingmeans o n said frame for driving vsaid conveyors linsynchronism with each'otherp.l a plurality of can receptacles mounted inv spaced relation on said outer conveyor, a can chute having a delivery lend arranged in proximity toone lendof the frame, a label holder disposed betweensaid chute and said frame and a plurality of wiper devices mounted on said inner conveyor in spaced relation and directed towards said outer conveyor adapted to be brought into operative relation to the cans in said receptacle by the non-parallel movement of the adjustable portions Iof said conveyors, transfer devices for.I transferring labels from the label holder and cans from the :chute to said receptacles, said` transfer devicescomprising a slotted lifter arm, securing means for securing said lifter arms slidingly and swingingly to said frame, a pivoted arm pivotally secured to said frame, Aa. link connecting the free ends oi" the two arms, lifting means attached lto said lifter arm and actuating means including a. crank driven from the outer conveyor and, a coupling rod and a cross head connecting the crank to said lifter arm on the side of the securing means remote from the link for causing the lifter arm to swing between two end positions oxne'vof .which is over the outer conveyor, the arrangementbef ing such that when the lifter arm reaches its end position over the conveyor the liftingmeans is brought over one of said receptacles. t

5. In a labeling machine for labeling cans, in

particular cans of substantially frusto-pyramidal shape having a square base, comprising a frame, an outer and an inner endless conveyorl mounted on saidy frame, said outer conveyor Ysurrounding said inner conveyor and having la portion adjacent but non-parallel thereto, driving meanson said frame for driving said conveyors in synf ohronism with each other, a plurality of lcan receptacles mounted in spaced relationwon said outer conveyor,v a can chute havingga delivery end arranged in proximity to one end ofthe frame, a label holder disposed between sadchute and said frame and a plurality of wiper'devices f attached to said lifter armsand eomprsingav suction element, means for connecting said suction element to a source of suction, a support rotatably connecting the suction element Ato the lifterA arm, and actuating means adaptedtofbe driven in synchronism with the conveyors for actuating said lifter arm.

6. In a labeling machine for labeling cans, in

. particular cans of substantially frusto-pyramidal shape having a square base, comprising a frame, an outer and an inner endless conveyor mounted on said frame, said outer conveyor surrounding said inner conveyor and having a portion adjacent but non-parallel thereto, driving means on said frame for driving said conveyors in syn-f chronism with each other, a plurality of can receptacles mounted in spaced relation on said outer conveyor, a can chute having a delivery end arranged in proximity to one end of the frame, a label holder disposed between said chute and said frame and a plurality of wiper devices mounted on said inner conveyor in spaced relation and directed towards said outer conveyor adapted to be brought into operative relation to the cans in said receptacle by the non-parallel movement of the adjustable portions of said conveyors, transfer devices for transferring labels from the label, holder and cans from the chute to said receptacles, said transfer devices comprising a slotted lifter arm, securing means for securing said lifter arm slidingly and swingingly to said frame, a pivoted arm pivotally secured to said frame, a link connecting the free ends of the two arms, suctional lifting means attached to one of said lifter arms and comprising a hollow body portion having a connection branch projecting laterally therefrom and adapted to be connected to a source of suction, a first suction mouth at one end and a co-planar second suction mouth at the other end, a guide bar projecting from said body portion substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the mouths, a stop-collar adjustably secured to said guide bar, a support rotatably connecting the suctional lifting means to the lifter arm and having a perforated head slidably embracing the guide bar, a pair of pins projecting from the body portion in coaxial alinement,` carrying rotary rollers and located above the second mouth, a guide way having a base hingedly connected to the frame, a pair of parallel leg portions projecting from said base and having guide surfaces extending from the free ends of said leg portions to a point spaced from said base to provide an opening adapted to allow the pins to pass freely therethrough and actuating means adapted to be driven in synchronism with the conveyors for actuating said lifting devices. f v

'7. In a labeling machine for labeling cans, in particulan substantially frusto-pyramidal cans with a square base, having a tag on one wall for subsequent opening of the can, comprising a frame, an outer and an inner endless conveyor mounted on said frame, said outer conveyor surrounding said inner conveyor and having a portion adjacent but non-parallel thereto, driving means on said frame for driving said conveyors in synchronism with each other, a plurality of can receptacles mounted in spaced relation on said outer conveyor, a plurality of wiper devices mounted in similar spaced relation on said inner conveyor and directed towards said outer conveyor adapted to be brought into operative relation to the cans in said receptacle by the nonparallel movement of the adjustable portions of said conveyors, a label holder disposed adjacent one end of said frame, a can chute having a slotted delivery end located on the side of said holder remote from the frame, transfer devices for transferring labels from said holder and cans from said chute to sald receptacles and actuat ing means for said transfer devices, tag upsetting means comprising a wheel rotatably mounted below the slot on said chute and carrying a spring-biassed articulated claw adapted to engage the tags on the cans and set them up, a notch in said wheel to allow the claw to disengage the up-set tag and driving means for driving the tag up-setting means in synchronism with the conveyors.

8. In a labeling machine for labeling cans, in particular cans of substantially frusto-pyramidal shape having a square base comprising a frame, an outer `and an inner endless conveyor mounted on said frame, said outer conveyor surrounding said inner conveyor, driving means on said frame for driving said conveyors in synchronism with each other, a plurality of can receptacles arranged in spaced relation along said outer conveyor,`a can chute having a delivery end located in proximity to one end of said frame, said outer conveyor having a substantially straight stretch extending between the ends of the frame and said inner conveyor having a first zone inclined towards the straightlstretch of said outer conveyor from the end thereof nearest to said chute to an intermediate point thereof, a second zone following immediately on said first zone oppositely inclined with respect to said first zone and forming a relatively small angle with said straight stretch and a third zone following immediately on said second zone and inclined in the same sense but at a greater angle, a label holder disposed between said can chute and said frame, transfer devices located at said end of the frame nearest to said chute and comprising a can lifter assembly and a label lifter assembly, actuating means -for said transfer devices, a plurality of wiper devices including pairs of wiper brushes mounted on the inner conveyor and directed towards the outer conveyor, a yieldable coupling between said pairs of wiper brushes, a pressure finger mounted on the outer conveyor below each receptacle and directed towards the inner conveyor, said pressure fingers being adapted to engage and depress said yieldable coupling to urge the wiper brushes towards each other, adhesive applying means for applying adhesive to the cans disposed one in association with said Chute, a second at substantially the end of the first zone of the inner conveyor remote from the chute, and a third at a point intermediate the end of the straight stretch nearest to the chue and the second adhesive applying means, and label wiper means positioned at a point of the third zone and comprising a shaft adapted to be driven from the conveyor driving means, an arm fast on said shaft extending across the outer conveyor and spaced therefrom on the side thereof remote from the inner conveyor, and a brush on-the free end of the shaft adapted to engage the extremity of a label on the side thereof nearest to said chute to wipe said extremity onto thecan.

ARISTIDES. POGGIO. 

